Target device and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A target device for improving a user&#39;s aim includes a base, a magnet and a rotatable target rod having a reset end member. The target device has a first state wherein the reset end member is releasably held in place by the magnet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a target device for improving auser's aim, and more particularly the invention relates to a golfputting aid that is used to improve a user's putting aim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a well-known proverb which states that a golfer drives for showand puts for dough. In other words, those who are successful in golfshould be excellent putters of the golf ball. To this end, efforts havebeen made in the past to develop golf putting practice devices toimprove a user's putting by improving their aim in putting a golf ballinto a golf hole. As the golfer's aim improves, their accuracy improvesand as does their scoring in a game of golf. Past efforts to improve agolfer's aim using a practice putting device may be seen for example inU.S patent application publication number 2014/0038735 to Nicodem et al.(Nicodem), titled, “Golf Putting Practice Device and Methods ofPracticing Thereof.”

Nicodem's device is complex and indeed requires energy, e.g. at least abattery and microprocessor with sensors. Therefore, it would beadvantageous to produce a mechanically simple putting aid to improve auser's aim and accuracy in putting a golf ball that is low cost and freefrom numerous and complicated structural and and electrical components.There is a need for a simple device such that production and assemblythereof would be both low cost and simple relative to prior efforts.Further, it would be advantageous for a user to have a simple puttingdevice that could be easily reset without electrical involvement whileat the same time permitting the user to improve their putting aim andaccuracy in putting a golf ball into a golf hole by practicing theirputting using the putting device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a much needed, mechanically simple, target devicethat utilizes a minimum number of elements yet permits the user topractice on golf greens, golf mats, or on flooring for example in theuser's home. These and other advantages of the invention, as well asadditional inventive features, will be apparent from the description ofthe invention provided herein.

In one aspect, the invention provides a target device for improving auser's aim utilizing the target device. More specifically, the inventionis directed to improving a user's putting aim using the target device.The target device, when used as a putting aid, can be utilized on a golfpractice mat having a putting hole or a putting cup, a practice puttinggreen, a putting green with a putting hole, or on a flat surface.

The target device includes a base. The target device also includes amagnet. The target device also includes a rotatable target rod having aresent end member. The target device has a first state wherein the resetend member is releasably held in place by the magnet. That is, the resetend member is metallic or has a metallic portion such that there isenough of a magnetic attraction between the reset end member and themagnet to releasably hold the reset end member in place on the magnet.By, “releasably hold” it is meant that the force of magnetic attractionmay be overcome by a greater force that detaches the reset end memberfrom the magnet. For, example a golf ball struck by a putter in atypical putting stroke may provide enough force to overcome the magneticattraction between the resent end member and the magnet.

The aspects of the invention discussed above may include the followingfeatures alone or in combination with any number of the featuresdiscussed below.

The base includes the magnet.

The base in cross section is wedge shaped.

The reset end member includes the magnet and the base includes at leasta metallic portion to magnetically releasably hold the reset end memberin a first position.

The magnet is located in a channel of the base.

The reset end member extends in a reset direction parallel to a topsurface of the base in the first state.

The target device has a second state wherein the reset end member isdetached from magnet.

In the second state the reset end member has rotated a first directionbetween five and ninety degrees relative to a first position of theresent end member in the first state. Thus rotation and rotatable shouldbe understood to mean rotation may be more than zero degrees but lessthan 360 degrees.

The reset end is rotatable between five and ninety degrees in a seconddirection that is opposite the first direction to return the targetdevice to the first state.

In the first state a target end of the rotatable target rod extends inan end direction transversely to a top plane defined by the top surface.

In the second state the reset end member extends in a third directiontransversely to the top face, and a target end of the rotatable targetrod extends in a fourth direction transversely to the third direction,the third and fourth direction being different directions.

The base includes a top surface that is a top plate that is releasablysecured to the base.

The target end includes a removable target having a mounting portion forreceiving the target end. The target end forms an acute internal anglemeasured from a top surface of the base toward the target end.

Rotating the reset end member rotates a target end of the rotatabletarget rod.

The rotatable target rod includes a target end and a first member, thefirst member is located between the target end and the reset end member.Rotating the reset end member rotates the first member. Rotating thetarget end rotates the first member. The first member is sandwichedbetween the base and the top surface.

A top surface covers the base. The top surface may be integral with thebase or the top surface may be a top plate that may be formed of thesame or different material than the base. The top plate may bepermanently fixed to the base or it may be releasably secured to thebase with known fastening means, for examples, magnets. By releasablysecured it is meant that, as in the example given using magnets, the topplate is easily removed by overcoming the magnetic attraction/forcebetween the top plate and the base.

The base of the target device may be sized such that an outer diametermay be received into a golf cup.

A top magnet or a plurality of top magnets located in or on the basereleasably secure the top plate to the base.

The top plate extends radially beyond a front end of the base.

The target end includes forty-five degree bend along its length.

The target end is a target.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for improving auser's aim. The method includes the step of aiming at a target device.The method includes the step of applying a first force to a target endof a target device to rotate a target end and a reset end member of thetarget device in a first direction. The method includes the steps ofapplying a second force to the reset end member to rotate the reset endmember in a second direction opposite the first direction. The methodincludes the step of releasably securing the target end to a base of thetarget device.

The aspects of the invention discussed above may include the followingsteps or features alone or in combination with any number of the step orfeatures discussed below.

The step of applying the first force to the target end includes the stepof putting a golf ball at the target end to provide the first force.

The target end is a target.

The step of applying a second force to the reset end member includes thestep of contacting the reset end member with a golf putter.

The step releasably securing the target end to the base includes thestep of magnetically holding the target end on a magnet of the targetdevice.

The step of placing the target device in a golf practice mat hole or aputting cup or a putting green hole or on a flat surface.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a target device in a first stateaccording to the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view taken about line 2-2 of the targetdevice of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is another side cross sectional view of the target device of FIG.1 with a further embodiment of a rotatable target rod;

FIG. 4 is another side cross section view of a target device withanother embodiment of a rotatable target rod;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the rotatable target rod of the targetdevice of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is an isometric partial rear view of the removable target of thetarget device of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the target device of FIG. 1 in a second state;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a base of the target device of FIG. 1 with thetop surface removed and with a rotatable target device removed from achannel of the base; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a base of the target device of FIG. 1 .

While the invention will be described in connection with certainpreferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to thoseembodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 an exemplaryembodiment of a target device 100 according to the teachings of theinstant invention. The target device 100 includes a base 102. The base102 is sized and shaped geometrically such that it can be at leastpartially received into a golf hole 104 shown schematically in dashedlines. Because of this arrangement, a user may insert the target device100 into the golf hole 104 such that putting a golf ball 108 (shown indashed lines) at the target device 100 would allow the golf ball 108,rolling along a green, to roll onto, along and up the top surface 106 ofthe target device 100.

A regulation golf hole 104 has an inner most diameter 110 of 4.25inches. Accordingly, the target device 100 may have an outer diameter112 of the base 102 such that it dimensioned, as readily understood inthe art, to permit a press fit between the innermost diameter 110 of thegolf hole 104 and the outer diameter of the base 112. The press fitremovably fixes the target device 100 in the golf hole 104 so that atleast a front circumferential portion 114 portion of the top surface 106is parallel to the ground surrounding the golf hole 104. The press fit,as readily understood in the art, permits the target device 100 to beeasily removed from the golf hole 104 by a user's own force, e.g. hands,when desired.

Because of the press fit, a bottom surface 116 of the base 100 need notextend a full depth of the golf hole 104 to meet with a floor 118 of thegolf hole 104. However, it can be readily appreciated, in an embodiment,the bottom surface 112 of the golf hole may extend to the floor 118 ofgolf hole 104.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the target device 100 is in a first statewherein a removable target 120 is in an upright position to permit auser to aim at the removable target 120 so as permit the golf ball 108to impart a force sufficient to rotate a back 127 of the removabletarget 120 towards the top surface 106 such that the removable target120 appears to the user to have been knocked down. This provides apositive reinforcement via a visual feedback to the user that they haveproperly aimed the golf ball 108. While a golf hole 104 is depicted inFIG. 1 , the target device 100 is not limited to a golf hole 104.Indeed, the target device 100 may be used, in many other ways, and byway of non-limiting examples, on a golf practice mat or in the hole of agolf practice mat or a putting cup or on a flat surface.

In the first state of the target device 100 a reset end member 122 of arotatable target rod 123 of the target device 100 is in a first positionwhereby a reset central longitudinal axis 124 of the reset end member122 extends in a reset direction 125 parallel with a top plane 154defined by the top surface 106. More particularly, a first terminal end126 of the reset end member 122 is nearer the front circumferentialportion 114 of the top surface 106 than a back 128 of the top surface106. Thus, the first terminal end 126 extends in a reset direction 125towards the front circumferential portion 114 and parallel to a topdiameter 132 of the top surface 106 extending between the frontcircumferential portion 114 and the back 128 of the top surface 106.

Magnets 134, 182 are located in the base 102 to releasably hold thereset end member 122. The reset end member 122 and the rotatable targetrod 123 are made of a ferrous material for attraction to the magnets134, 182. For example, the reset end member 122 may be made of steel orpreferably of spring steel. In an embodiment, the reset end member 122may contain one or more of the magnets 134, 182. The base 102 maycontain a ferrous material attracted to the magnets 134, 182. Themagnetic attraction, that is the force between one or more of themagnets 134, 182 and the metallic portion of the base 102 releasablyholds the reset end member 122 to the base 102 in the first state of thetarget device 100. As illustrated, the reset end member 122 may includea rubber cover that surrounds at least the first terminal end 126. Therubber cover is of a thickness that does not prevent the magneticattraction necessary to hold the reset end member 122 on the magnet 130.In other embodiments, there need not be a rubber cover.

A front face 136 of the removable target 120 may include graphics toprovide further aiming assistance for a user of the device, e.g. avertical line down the center of the removable target 120. The graphicsmay be in different colors and designed to be aesthetically pleasing ormotivating for the user. The graphics can be provided by way ofnon-limiting examples, paint or stickers. Moreover, the removable target120 may be changed out with another removable target that may be adifferent size and or shape that may for example give the user a biggerremovable target 120 to aim at, or to increase the challenge to the userand improve the user's skill level with a smaller and/or narrowerremovable target 120 than that illustrated. The removable targets 120may include a number visible to a user that represents the degree ofdifficulty, for example, where 1 may be the largest, easiest target tohit while removable target 3 may be the most difficult or vice versa.

The top surface 106 may also have graphics as described with theremovable target 120. For example, the top surface 106 may have the topdiameter 132 painted on the top surface 106 to provide a further visualaiming reference for the user. In another non-limiting example the topsurface 106 may be made to resemble the floor 118 of the golf hole 104.

Turning to the side cross sectional view of FIG. 2 , the target device100 is in the first state with the removable target 120. The targetdevice 100 is in an upright position ready to be struck by a user takingaim and putting the golf ball 108 (FIG. 1 ). The removable target 120,while upright in the first state is inclined toward the back 128 of thetop surface 106 and away from the front circumferential portion 114 ofthe top surface 106 such that an acute angle 149 is present between thetarget device 120 and the top surface 106, as measured from the topsurface 106 towards the removable target 120.

The front face 136 of the removable target 120 may be inclined at afirst angle 138 in the first state between 0 and 45 degrees relative tovertical 140 and towards the back 128 of the top surface 106 and in apreferred embodiment between 2 and 35 degrees, and in a more preferredembodiment between 5 and 30 degrees. The incline of the removable target120 assists the user in aiming while looking down at the target device100.

The base 102 in cross section is generally the shape of a wedge. The topsurface 106 slopes upwardly from a front end 151 to the back 128 of thetop surface 106. The pitch is indicated by a second angle 142, that isan interior angle defined between the ground and the top surface 106.Thus, golf ball 108 (FIG. 1 ) rolls up the slope of the top surface 106as it proceeds to the removable target 120. In an embodiment, the secondangle 142 may be between 0.5 and 45 degrees, in another embodimentbetween 1 and 30 degrees, and in a preferred embodiment between 2 and 25degrees.

The base 102 defines a first thickness 144 between the top surface 106and the bottom surface 116 of base 102 at the front end 151. A secondthickness 146 is defined between the base 102 and the top surface 106 atthe back 128 of the top surface 106. The second thickness 146 is greaterthan the first thickness 144 so as to provide the desired pitchindicated by the second angle 142. The thicknesses 144, 146, asdiscussed previously, permits the base 102 to be press fit into the golfhole 104 such that a portion remains in the golf hold 104 and the topsurface 106 remains above the golf hole with at least the frontcircumferential portion 114 meeting the ground surrounding the golf holeto permit the golf ball to roll onto the top surface 106.

Moreover, the increasing pitch of the base 102 from the front of thebase 102 to the back 128 permits a user to put a golf ball 108 (FIG. 1 )with the necessary force to reach the removable target 120 withsufficient speed to detach the reset end member 122 from the magnets134, 182. Once the reset end member 122 detaches the rotatable targetrod 123 rotates along with its target end 150. This rotation ends withthe target device 100 in a second state (FIG. 4 ). The rotation shouldbe understood as a rotation that “knocks down” the target 120. The pitchalso provides a better visual position for the user when aiming at thetarget device 100. The pitch also assists the user with a better view toassess the correct distance he is away from the removable target 120.Yet further, the pitch allows the golf ball 108 (FIG. 1 ) to roll backaway from the removable target 120 after hitting and knocking down theremovable target 122. (See, FIG. 4 ).

The top surface 106 as illustrated is a top plate that is releasablysecured to the base 102 with known fastening means, for example, magnets148 (FIG. 6 ). The removable target 120 may be molded onto the targetend 150 which serves as a mounting portion for the removable target 120.The removable target 120 can be interchanged with other removabletargets 120 by removing the top plate and then exchanging the removabletarget 120 including the rotatable target rod 123. It is then exchangedwith another removable target 120 including its rotatable target rod 123and then the top plate is placed back on the base 102 where it may beheld in place by top magnets in the base 102. The top plate may extendradially beyond a front a front end 151 of the base 102 to provide thefront circumferential portion 114 of the top surface 106.

In other embodiments, the top plate 106 can be releasably secured bymeans other than magnets, for example screws. In and embodiment thescrews may be thread forming screws. In yet other embodiments, the topplate 106 may be permanently attached to the base 102. In suchembodiments, wherein the removable target 120 is not molded onto thetarget end 150 but instead is press fit on the target end 150 such thatthe removable target 120 can be exchanged with another by the userpulling the removable target 120 to slide it off the target end 150 andreplacing it with another removable target 120 without having to detachthe top surface 106 from the base 102. In embodiments where the topsurface 106 may be integral with the base 102 the rotatable target rod123 is still rotatable.

The first angle 138 of the removable target 120 is predetermined by thebend 121 of the rotatable target device 100 proximate the target end150. In this first state of the target device 100, the target end 150extends in an end direction 152 transversely to the top plane 154defined by the top surface 106. The end direction 152 also extendstransversely to the reset direction 125.

In an embodiment, the target end 150 does not receive a removable target120. Instead, a user may put a golf ball 108 (FIG. 1 ) to knock down thetarget end 150. The target end 150 while shown in a rod shape may havevarious widths and heights. The user can exchange the target end 150with another by removing the top surface 106 with the rotatable targetrod 123 having a different sized target end 150.

FIG. 3 illustrates a target device 200 which is the same as the targetdevice 100 except for a target end 250. Unlike target end 150, thetarget end 250 has a bent end portion 256 that extends in an end portiondirection 258 that in the first state of the target device 200 istransverse to the top plane 254 and transverse to the reset direction225. The removable target 220 may be sliding removed from the target end250 end and the bent end portion 256 or in yet another embodiment it maybe fixed to the target end 250 and bent end portion 256.

FIG. 4 illustrates a target device 300 which is the same as targetdevice 100 except for a target end 350 of a rotatable target rod 323(FIG. 5 ). Unlike target end 150, the target end 350 has a forty-fivedegree bend 356 along its length to better prevent lateral movement ofthe removable target 320. In other words, there is an angle 305 of 45degrees created between a central longitudinal axis 303 of the removabletarget 320 and a top leg 307 of the bend 356 and there is an angel 305of 45 degrees created between a bottom leg 309 of the bend 356 and thecentral longitudinal axis 303. While a preferred embodiment of 45degrees is shown, in another embodiment the bend 356 may be between 20and 60 degrees and in another embodiment between 30 and 50 degrees. Thetarget end 350 may be snap fit into a channel 301 formed into the backof the removable target 320. Thus, the target end 350 can be easily bepulled out of the channel 301 to remove the removable target 320 andreplaced with another removable target 320 with a different graphic orsize.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial view of the back of the removable target320. Within channel 301 along a side wall of the channel 301 is a snapelement 303 radiused to bear against and receive target end 350 (FIG. 4) in a removable snap fit. Thus, the removable target 320 is snap fitinto the channel 301 to removably secure the removable target 320 to thetarget end 350.

A second state of the target device 100 is illustrated in FIG. 7 . Inthe second state the reset end member 122 has rotated a first direction160 between five and ninety degrees relative to the reset end position162 in the first state as depicted in hidden lines in FIG. 7 . To reachthe second state of the target device 100, a user has aimed a golf ball108 (FIG. 1 ) such that it has rolled onto the top surface 106 andstruck the removable target 120 with sufficient force to detach thereset end member 122 from the magnets 134, 182. The reset end member 122may rotate in the first direction between five and ninety degrees toreach the second state of the target device, and in a preferredembodiment between 10 and 85 degrees, and in a more preferred embodimentbetween 15 and 80 degrees.

Striking the removable target 120 with the golf ball 108 (FIG. 1 ) withsufficient force to detach the reset end member 122 and cause it torotate in the first direction 160. The target end 150 which is connectedto the reset end member 122 rotates simultaneously with the reset endmember 122 in the first direction 160. Thus, rotating the reset endmember 122 rotates the target end 150. In the second state, the resetend member 122 extends in a third direction 168 transversely to a fourthdirection of extension 170 of the target end 150. The reset direction125, the third direction 168, the end direction 152, and the fourthdirection are not the same, that is they are each different directions.Also, in this view it can be readily appreciated that the bend 121 ofthe rotatable target rod 123 permits the target end 150 with its mountedremovable target 120 to lay down over top surface 106 such that it canbe said the removable target 120 has been knocked down to place thetarget device 100 in the second state.

To return to the first state of the target device 100, a user need onlyapply a reset force 164 to the reset end member 122 to rotate the resetend member 122 and the target end 150 together with the removable target120 in a second direction 166 that is opposite the first direction 160.Because the resent end member 122 is upright in the second state, auser, without having to bend over, can simply use a putter, for examplethe bottom of the putter or the grip end of the putter to easily applythe necessary reset force 164 to rotate the reset end member 122 in thesecond direction 166. In so doing the reset end member 122 reattaches tothe base 102 via the magnet 134. Rotating the reset end member 122 inthe second direction 166 simultaneously rotates the target end 150 andthe removable target 120 to place the target device 100 back into thefirst state ready for a user to take aim at the removable target 120which has returned to its upright position in the first state.

Turning now to FIG. 8 , the base 102 is generally in the shape of acircular wedge with a liner front end 151, which is a chord of thecircular portion 172 of the base 102. Keyed positions 174, and 176cooperate with receiving notches of the top surface 106 (FIG. 1 ) toprovide a means by which to easily position the top surface 106 (FIG. 1) on top of the base 102. Further, top magnets 178, 180 provide themeans to magnetically releasably secure the top plate 106 (FIG. 1 ) tothe base 102. In other embodiments, instead of having top magnets 178,180, one or more mounts 181, 183 may receive fasteners, for examplescrews to releasably secure the top surface 106 (FIG. 1 ) to the base102. In yet another embodiment, the mounts 181, 183 may receive glue topermanently secure the top plate 160 the base 102.

Magnets 134 and 182 releasably hold the reset end member 122 (FIG. 1 )of the rotatable target rod 123 to the base 102 to keep the targetdevice 100 (FIG. 1 ) in the first state. The magnets 134, 182 and topmagnets 178, 180 may be molded into the base 102 or fastened to the base102 by means well known in the art. The base 102 includes a channel 184to receive the rotatable target rod 123 and is sized to permit thetarget rod 123 to rotate within the base 102 with its top surface 106(FIG. 1 ) secured to the base 102.

The rotatable target rod 123 is sandwiched between the top surface 106(FIG. 1 ) and the base 102 in both the first and second states of thetarget device 100 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 ). The rotatable target rod 123includes a first member 185 providing the connection between the resetend member 122 and the bend 121 which in turn provides the connection tothe target end 150. Thus, the target end 150 is connected to the resetend member 122. The first member 185 is located in the channel 184 (FIG.6 ) together with the reset end member 122 when the target device 100(FIG. 1 ) is in its first and second states (FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 ).

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the base 102 showing the bottomsurface 116 of the base which may include a grip 188. The grip 188 maybe a nub that is a raised protrusion along the bottom surface 116. Theremay be a plurality of grips 188 which act, along with the weight of thetarget device (FIG. 1 ) to prevent movement of the base 102 whenreceiving the golf ball 108 (FIG. 1 ) while the bottom surface 116 isresting on a flat surface. Non limiting examples of the flat surface maybe a golf mat or carpet or tile floor where a user may be practicing hisaim utilizing the target device 100 (FIG. 1 ).

In light of the foregoing disclosure and drawings the invention providesa method for improving a user's putting aim utilizing the target device100 (FIG. 1 ). With respect to FIG. 1 , a golfer can insert a portion ofthe base 102 under the top surface 106 in a golf hole 108 and then takeaim at the removable target 122. The golfer then puts the golf ball 108to hit the removable target 120 with the rolling golf ball 108 and knockthe removable target 120. The golf ball 108 must be struck withsufficient force to hit the removable target 120 to break the magnetattraction between reset end member 122 and the magnets 134, 182 torotate the target end 150 and a reset end member 122 of the targetdevice 100 in a first direction 160 (FIG. 5 ) and thereby knock down theremovable target 122.

Thereafter, a user may use his putter, without even bending over, toapply a second force, that is the reset force 164 (FIG. 7 ) to the resetend member 122 (FIG. 7 ) to rotate the reset end member 122 in a seconddirection 166 opposite the first direction 160 to releasably secure thetarget end 150 to the base 102 of the target device 100 via magnets 134,182 in the base 102.

A user may utilize the target device 100 to practice the user's aim byany number of means for example, placing the target device in a golfpractice mat hole or a putting cup or a putting green hole or on a flatsurface. Further, embodiments of the invention provide for a golf gamewhere a user or users may place a plurality of target devices 100 (FIG.1 ) on a putting green in golf holes on a practice green or on a flatsurface and score based on knocking down the removable targets 120 (FIG.1 ).

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patentscited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each reference were individually and specifically indicated to beincorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A target device for improving a user's aim, thetarget device comprising: a base; a magnet; a rotatable target rodhaving a reset end member; wherein the target device has a first statewherein the reset end member is releasably held in place by the magnet.2. The target device of claim 1, wherein the base in cross section iswedge shaped and includes the magnet to releasably hold the reset endmember in the first state.
 3. The target device of claim 1, wherein thereset end member includes the magnet and the base includes at least ametallic portion to releasably hold the reset end member in the firststate.
 4. The target device of claim 2, wherein the magnet is located ina channel of the base.
 5. The target device of claim 2, wherein thereset end member extends in a reset direction parallel to a top surfaceof the base in the first state.
 6. The target device of claim 2, whereinthe target device has a second state wherein the reset end member isdetached from magnet.
 7. The target device of claim 2, wherein in thesecond state the reset end member has rotated a first direction betweenfive and ninety degrees relative to a first position of the resent endmember in the first state.
 8. The target device of claim 7, wherein thereset end member is rotatable between five and ninety degrees in asecond direction that is opposite the first direction to return thetarget device to the first state.
 9. The target device of claim 5,wherein in the first state, a target end of the rotatable target rodextends in an end direction transversely to the first plane.
 10. Thetarget device of claim 9, wherein in the second state, the reset endmember extends in a third direction transversely to the top face, and atarget end of the rotatable target rod extends in a fourth directiontransversely to the third direction, the third and fourth directionbeing different directions.
 11. The target device of claim 1, whereinthe base includes a top surface that is a top plate that is releasablysecured to the base.
 12. The target device of claim 1, wherein a targetend of the rotatable target rod includes a removable target having amounting portion for receiving the target end, the target end forming anacute internal angle measured from a top surface of the base toward thetarget end.
 13. The target device of claim 1, wherein rotating the resetend member rotates a target end of the rotatable target rod.
 14. Thetarget device of claim 1, wherein the rotatable target rod includes atarget end and a first member, the first member located between thetarget end and the first member; and wherein the first member issandwiched between the base and a top surface covering the base.
 15. Thetarget device of claim 11, wherein top magnets located in the basereleasably secure the top plate to the base and wherein the top plateextends radially beyond a front end of the base.
 16. The target deviceof claim 1, wherein the rotatable target rod includes a target end, thetarget end includes forty-five degree bend along its length.
 17. Amethod for improving a user's aim, the method including the steps of:aiming at a target device; applying a first force to a target end of atarget device to rotate a target end and a reset end member of thetarget device in a first direction; applying a second force to the resetend member to rotate the reset end member in a second direction oppositethe first direction; releasably securing the target end to a base of thetarget device.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of applyingthe first force to the target end includes the step of putting a golfball at the target end to provide the first force.
 19. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the step of applying a second force to the reset endmember includes the step of contacting the reset end member with a golfputter.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step releasably securingthe target end to the base includes the step of magnetically holding thetarget end on a magnet of the target device.